My mom went to visit her friend last Friday and found out that she and her husband had 2 pets that they were looking for a good home for. I was at work when mom showed up unannounced to have Adam help her get them out of the car. Needless to say he was less than thrilled.

However, they did come with everything they needed to be taken care of and they are cute. Also once the kids saw them we couldnt help being kind of excited too (even Adam although he will probably deny that lol). So here is a picture of our new additions Daisy and Koopa.

I guess I should be happy that mom doesnt know any horse breeders. :)-

Excel = Weight loss?

Ok, it's January and it's the time of year to lose weight….. again. Honestly, I started way before January. Forgive me for a moment but I'm going to backtrack a little (or a lot) to give you an idea of my battle with weight.

I was a skinny kid. Until I hit about 9yrs old and then I became a pudgy kid. I don't really remember the skinny part. Fast forward to January 1996- I was a happily married newlywed weighing in at 250lbs. I'm 5ft 4in, my comfy jeans were a size 24. :O Fast forward a few more years to summer of 1999 and I was a mother of 2 who was very tired of being fat! I decided to do something about it (finally right?) I worked my tail off (literally) and within a year I was down to 142lbs. I couldn't even remember weighing in that low.

I did great for awhile or so I thought. I definitely ate better (and less) and I worked out more often. But it crept back on slowly. By the time I became pregnant with my 3^rd baby in fall of 2003 I was back up to 168lbs and after having her in August of 2004 I was 196lbs. And so my weight loss needed to start again. L Now at this time a great thing happened. The show Biggest Loser started. It was perfect timing for me. I kicked into high gear along with the contestants that first season. By January 2005 I was 131lbs.

I happily stayed between 131-134lbs until around the fall of 2007. Then my husband was laid off and was home. I will be the first to tell you that he cooks WAY better than me. And he did. A lot! By summer 2008 I was back up to 146lbs. I know this is still healthy for my height but damn it I worked hard to get to 134. So once again I set off on the road to weight loss. And by fall 2009 I was-Drum roll please--- 146lbs! lol I guess I should be happy that it didn't go up right?

Now in summer of 2009 we purchased Wii Active for our Wii. I love it! It kicks ass. However like all weight loss tools they only work if you use them. And so in November 2009 I started using it again. And I started my food journal again. But my breakthrough came a couple weeks ago in the form of homework. Go figure.

Now you may be wondering how on earth I remember all these numbers. I love numbers, I'm weird I know. Anyway, I'm taking an online class to learn MS Excel. And what is it about? Numbers! Lol So what did I do with this new found toy? I made a formulated graph to calculate my min worked out daily, my calories burned daily and my calories consumed daily. I have been working out about an hour a day ever since just so that I can put numbers in and use my worksheet. That goes back to me being weird. J In the last week I have burned 2747 more calories than I have consumed.

Anyway, for all of you out there ( and I know you are there) Excel might not be your answer but no matter what there is an answer. If you have an answer that you have found, or even just a tip, please feel free to share it here. J

Oh, and by the way, as of today I weigh 141lbs. ;)

I was right, I couldnt stop with just my little turtle. And to make my next try even better my daughter made a little critter with me! :) Here are the cute little birds that we made. Katie is holding her bird that she made and Megan is holding the one I made..... but that she claims as hers. ;) Didnt Katie do an awsome job? Im so proud of her.

Amigurumi

Well I had this weekend off so Adam and I took the kids to the library. While looking through the crochet books I found a book about Amigurumi. Now I have made sewn stuffed animals in the past and I have to admit that I don't like putting on the heads, arms, legs, etc. I can never get them on tight enough. That being said, I checked out the book anyway. J

Besides the fun patterns, reading the book is pretty interesting. I was not aware of what a big part of Japanese culture dolls are. I always just thought they were cute little Japanese dolls. After reading my book and looking through the patterns (in the book and online) I settled on a fun little turtle. My mom loves turtles so I thought it would be fun to make her a little friend. Another thing that I like about these little animals is that for someone fairly new to crochet they don't seem to intimidating. J

So here is my first (and definitely not last) try at Amigurumi!

Welcome to 2010!!

Well I am a little late on my Happy New Year post but here it is. Happy New Year!! I ended 2009 in a hectic yet happy manner and I seem to be bringing 2010 in with the same theme. We have had car problems and plumbing problems and what not but it has all turned out ok and we are doing great. I am starting 2010 surrounded by my loving family and we are all healthy and happy. I couldn't ask for anything more. Here is to hoping that all of you are starting out the new year where you want and if you aren't there yet may you be there by the end of the year.